Mikel Arteta takes his Arsenal side to Lisbon on Tuesday night as they take on Sporting CP in the Champions League, with the hosts settling into life after Ruben Amorim. With the head coach now departed for Manchester United, the Primeira Liga leaders are under the guidance of Joao Pereira from this point onwards, with his first game resulting in a 6-0 cup win against lower-league opposition.
This will be somewhat of a bigger test, but Sporting have the comfort of points on the board after Amorim led them to 10 points from four games, leaving them second in the expanded Champions League table, behind only Liverpool. Arsenal have been a little less consistent, with seven points accrued to put them 12th – good enough for a playoff spot but not automatic qualification, so improvements are needed if that remains the aim.
One big issue is the Gunners’ away form in Europe, with just one away win in eight years in this competition. Follow the live blog below for team news and match action from Sporting v Arsenal:
Half-time: Sporting 0-3 Arsenal
A perfect half by the Gunners, with goals from Martinelli, Havertz and Gabriel firing them into a strong position at the break.
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:48
GOAL! Sporting 0-3 Arsenal (Gabriel, 45+1 min)
Declan Rice sends in a deep in-swinging corner and Gabriel arrives with typical speed, leaping into the air to power a header into the net from close range.
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:48
Sporting 0-2 Arsenal
45 min: Saka is terrorising Araujo tonight and he does it again here, leaving his marker on the floor after checking back from the byline. His cross is well stood up for Havertz at the back post and Sporting have to scramble it clear for a corner…
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:46
Sporting 0-2 Arsenal
42 min: A lovely move by Arsenal as Saka and Partey pop the ball about in Sporting’s half while their opponents forlornly chase shadows.
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:42
Sporting 0-2 Arsenal
40 min: Edwards dribbles purposefully towards the box but he’s eased off the ball by Saliba, and Sporting’s brief bit of momentum ends abruptly.
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:39
Sporting 0-2 Arsenal
38 min: Another good chance for Arsenal as Odegaard feeds Saka on the right side. Saka cuts inside and shoots from about 15 yards but it’s blocked, and when the ball falls to Rice in the box he smashes his shot well wide from a tight angle.
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:38
Sporting 0-2 Arsenal
35 min: Sporting keep giving the ball away in their own half, and it’s making it easy for Arsenal to dominate right now. Over on TNT Sports, Steve McManaman is getting high-pitched irate with the Sporting players.
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:37
Sporting 0-2 Arsenal
32 min: Saka scoops a smart pass into Havertz behind the Sporting defence, but the German dithers and lets it bounce, and allows Israel to come out to smother the chance.
Lawrence Ostlere26 November 2024 20:34
